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Doping

28/12/2015 By: publisher In: Opinions Tag:

WAIPU is of course opposed to doping in hockey. However, in practice it proves that doping cases are rare in hockey. WAIPU is opposed to the ‘whereabouts’ system which is disproportional in relation to its aims.

Research has shown that there are hardly any doping cases in hockey. Most of the players who have been caught in recent years appeared to have used social drugs. It is known that these drugs are not performance-enhancing. What is more, they generally have a negative influence on performance. If these social drugs are removed from the doping list, it then appears that football has only a marginal problem.

Hockey players are obliged to comply with the section of the WADA code that stipulates that players who are selected by their national association for testing must account for their whereabouts 365 days a year and be available one hour per day for doping tests. Since doping cases in ice hockey are extremely rare, WAIPU deems the whereabouts system completely unnecessary.

Another objection WAIPU has is that each country applies the whereabouts rule differently. Each country uses different criteria for selecting players for the testing pool. WAIPU advocates equal rights and duties for all players throughout the world.

WAIPU requires that ice hockey players are only tested at their clubs following matches or at training and not during their free time or holidays. They are at their clubs almost daily for training or matches, making it unnecessary for them to account for their whereabouts.

WAIPU is of the opinion that the WADA code is in conflict with several treaties and laws that protect the privacy of citizens.

WAIPU aspires to a doping-free sport but calls on WADA to enter into discussions with the players’ unions in order to formulate an effective and fair doping policy.